Twenty-year-old Matthew Mitchell was killed in October 2010 near Topeka West High School. A 17-year-old friend of Mitchell's survived after being shot five times during a botched drug sale.

Prosecutors said Newman and another person opened fire.

As part of the plea, several drug charges were dismissed. Felony first-degree murder carries a life sentence with parole eligibility after 20 years. The prosecution and defense agreed to recommend that Newman receive a sentence of four years and 11 months for the attempted murder conviction.